Top 25 Gator teams: #8 1973 Men's golf

This team was a real powerhouse, winning six tournaments during the regular season, then sweeping through the postseason with wins at the SEC and NCAA tournaments.

By Robbie AndreuStaff writer

Record: Eight tournament wins, including the SEC and NCAA tournaments. The stars: Many believe this was the most talented UF golf team in the history of the program. It included future PGA Tour winners Gary Koch, Andy Bean and Woody Blackburn. And it had great depth and balance provided by Ben Duncan and Phil Hancock. Koch, a junior legend growing up in Florida, finished second to Ben Crenshaw (Texas) in the individual standings in the NCAA Tournament. What they did: This team was a real powerhouse, winning six tournaments during the regular season, then sweeping through the postseason with wins at the SEC and NCAA tournaments. At the NCAA Tournament in Stillwater, Okla., the Gators enjoyed a 10-shot victory over runner-up (and host team) Oklahoma State. Big moment: There was little drama for this team in the NCAA Tournament, thanks to an opening-round 67 by Koch (which led the field) that helped put the Gators in command. The Gators went on to place all four players in the top 11. Fun fact: Koch shouldn't have felt too bad finishing three shots behind Crenshaw for the individual title. It was Crenshaw's third consecutive NCAA title. Quote: "We were a very close group and we won some big tournaments down the stretch, including the SEC Tournament. Oklahoma State hosted the NCAA Tournament on its own course. The night before the tournament we were at a dinner for all the teams. We were sitting at a table not far from Oklahoma State's. We heard their coach, the legendary Lebron Harris, tell his players, 'We don't have to worry about that Florida team. We know we can beat those guys.' It was extra motivation for us." - Gary Koch